WO2003063485A1

WO2003063485A1 - Videoconferencing service system, videoconferencing service operating method and service center

Info

Publication number: WO2003063485A1
Application number: PCT/CN2002/000038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yuefeng Yang; Chongjun Chen; Jun Li; Xudong Lu; Mingyi Dai; Haijiao Ji; Binglin Xu
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-01-23
Filing date: 2002-01-23
Publication date: 2003-07-31
Also published as: EP2273389A2; EP1478179A4; EP2273389A3; US20050062842A1; US7417663B2; DE20221997U1; EP1478179A1

Abstract

A method and system for operating the videoconferencing service, wherein multipoint control units are connected to videoconferencing terminals via communication networks, charaterized in that a service center, which is connected to multipoint control units via computer networks, processes the request of videoconferencing service, deploying the resource of multipoint control unit, as well as managing and driving the videoconferencing service. Also a corresponding service center employed in videoconferencing service is disclosed, which comprising a web server for interfacing the subcribers in the networks and receiving the request of the subscriber, and a service processing module for receiving the subscriber's information from the web server and controlling the multipoint control units via computer networks.

Description

Video business system video business operation method and business center

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of multimedia communication technology, and particularly to the technical field of conference television. Background of the invention

The video service is a multimedia service that integrates information such as voice, image, and data for long-distance transmission. The service provided by the video service is a video conference, which can include three types of content: video, voice, and data. When people communicate in different places, they can not only hear the voice of the other party, but also see the image of the other party, enhancing the authenticity, intimacy, and presence of the communication. Video business can be used in military, political, economic, education, health and other fields, giving full play to the advantages of real, efficient, real-time, and providing people with convenient and effective means of communication, management, collaborative decision-making and so on.

The conference television service is a type of videoconferencing service. It is a communication method that uses television technology and equipment to hold a conference between two or more places through a transmission channel. As shown in FIG. 1, the existing technology of a conference television system generally consists of a video terminal (also called a conference television terminal), a transmission channel, and a multipoint control unit (also called an MCU or a video switching platform). The video terminal, multipoint control unit, and transmission channel will be described below.

Terminal equipment (ie, conference TV terminal) is generally operated directly by users and provides input / output of video, audio, and data signals. Including video input / output equipment, audio input / output equipment, terminal processor, terminal management system, etc. According to the business needs of different users, it can also be equipped with peripherals such as mixers, amplifiers, large screens, and electronic whiteboards.

The function of the video terminal is to collect, compress, encode, and multiplex the live image signals, voice signals, and related data signals of a conference point to the transmission channel. At the same time, the received conference TV signals are classified and decoded, and restored to the image, voice and Data signals; The video terminal must also transmit the conference control signals at this point (such as applying for speaking, applying for master control, etc.) to the MCU. At the same time, the MCU's control instruction on this point needs to be executed.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the prior art, a multipoint control unit (ie, MCU) is a control core of a conference television system. When there are more than two terminals participating in the conference, they must be controlled by the MCU. All terminals must be connected to the MCU through a standard interface. The MCU implements the exchange and mixing of image and voice according to the international standards H.221, H.242, H.243, T.120 and other protocols, and realizes the control of all conference venues. Features. Generally speaking, MCU is divided into two parts, the host and the console. The host completes the related functions specified in the above protocol. The console provides the operation control and human-machine interface of the host, and performs various operations and issues commands to the host through the console. When implementing the integrated videoconferencing service, it is also necessary to equip a business desk to complete external conference registration, reservation, and other business functions.

To form a complete conference television system, the terminal equipment must be connected to the MCU via the communication network. The physical transmission channel can be optical fiber, cable, microwave or satellite. The communication networks commonly used in conference television are: Public Telephone Switching Network (PSTN), Public Packet Switching Network (PSPDN), Digital Data Network (DDN), etc. At present, the rapid development of broadband switching networks dominated by ATM technology provides conference television A wider application area, such as Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), IP network and IQ network. In addition, with the popularization of the current ISDN network and the Internet, the conference television service has the conditions for rapid popularization to the general public.

The prior art video service system lacks an effective management mechanism under the large capacity of the system, so it cannot support the large-scale expansion of the MCU capacity, but can only be applied to very low traffic, and the network utilization efficiency is very low. Therefore, even if the popular ISDN network or IP network is used as the transmission channel, it is difficult to truly and effectively implement public operations. Summary of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a videoconferencing service system, a videoconferencing service operating method, and a videoconferencing service operation method. Ying's business center can effectively support the large-capacity expansion and coordination of the MCU, improve the utilization efficiency of the conference television system, and thus can truly realize the public operation of the conference television service.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a videoconferencing service is provided, in which a multipoint control unit is connected to a videoconferencing terminal through a communication network, and is characterized in that it accepts videoconferencing services through a business center connected to the multipoint control unit via a computer network. Request, schedule multi-point control unit resources, and the center manages and drives videoconferencing services.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a service center for videoconferencing service operations is provided, including: a web server that receives a user request from a user on a network; and a service acceptance module that receives user information that is collectively passed by the web server, And the multi-point control unit resources are scheduled via computer network.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a videoconferencing service system is provided, including: a videoconferencing terminal and a multipoint control unit connected through a communication network; further characterized by: a service center connected to the multipoint control unit via a computer network Accept video service requests, schedule multi-point control unit resources, and centrally manage and drive video services.

The invention is directed to the public operation of videoconferencing services. Through a business center connected to a multipoint control unit via a computer network, it accepts videoconferencing service requests, schedules multipoint control unit resources, and the center manages and drives videoconferencing services, which can effectively support The large-capacity expansion and coordination of the MCU improves the utilization efficiency of the conference television system, so that the public operation of the conference television service can be truly and effectively realized.

Specifically, the traditional conference television system and operation method require an MCU to have a console and have special personnel to maintain it. The service center for scheduling MCU resources in the present invention can bring the following benefits: It can achieve unattended operation of the system and 24-hour automatic operation, which is the prerequisite for the public operation of videoconferencing; one business center can manage multiple videoconferencing at the same time Exchange platform, centralized management reduces maintenance equipment and maintenance personnel; business center can provide complete billing system System and account system provide reliable guarantee for the popularization and popularization of video public operation. Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a prior art conference television system;

FIG. 2 shows a physical networking diagram of a conference television system according to the present invention;

3 shows a schematic diagram of a business center in a working state according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

4 illustrates services provided by a video service from a user perspective according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a video service reservation according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a service acceptance module of a service center according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a physical networking diagram of a conference television system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the entire video network is mainly composed of five parts: a communication network, a computer network, a multi-point control unit MCU (that is, a video switching platform), a video terminal, and a business center. Each section is explained below.

The communication network is a supporting network that provides videoconferencing services. The communication network may be an E1 private network, a V35 private network, an ISDN network, an IP network, an IQ network, and any other available communication network. The multi-point control unit MCU, which accesses and manages the request of the video terminal, is the core processing equipment of the video service and requires a large capacity, for example, it can access about 100 video terminals. Video terminals, equipment purchased by video users, and televisions are used to provide video services to video users. A business center is a control center that manages and drives videoconferencing services. Management, billing and other functions. The computer network is a supporting network for the management MCU of the business center. It can be any available computer network, such as a TCP / IP network, or a local area network that does not use or does not simply use the TCP / IP protocol.

As shown in Figure 2, the multipoint control unit and the video terminal are connected through a communication network. This communication network can be an E1 private network, a V35 private network, an ISDN network, an IP network, an IQ network, and any other available communication network. The core idea of the present invention is to establish a service center, accept video service requests, schedule multi-point control unit resources, and manage and drive the video service. The communication between the business center and the multipoint control unit takes place over a computer network.

A video service operation method according to an aspect of the present invention is provided, in which a multipoint control unit and a video terminal are connected through a communication network; a business center connected to the multipoint control unit via a computer network accepts video service requests and dispatches Multi-point control unit resources. The center manages and drives video services.

Preferably, the computer network may be a TCP / IP network or a local area network.

Preferably, the service center communicates with the multipoint control unit through the SNMP protocol (single network management protocol).

Preferably, the business center receives the user's dependence on the user through the Web server (Web Server) on the network; and receives the user information transmitted by the Web server through the service acceptance module, and through the computer network to multiple points Control unit resources are scheduled.

Preferably, the business center further performs data storage through a database.

Preferably, the service acceptance module adopts an extensible multilayer client / server (Client / Server) architecture.

Preferably, the Web server and the service acceptance center adopt a Socket connection that maintains a connection.

Preferably, the method for operating a videoconferencing service of the present invention may further include the following steps: (a) a user accesses a Web server through a browser, and reserves a conference required by the user; (b) Web The server sends the user-scheduled meeting to the service acceptance module, and the service acceptance module starts the scheduling mechanism. If the scheduling fails, it feeds back the reservation failure to the Web server; (c) notifies the multipoint control unit to hold the meeting at the user-specified start time; (d) the meeting When the end time is up, the service acceptance module notifies the multipoint control unit to end the meeting.

Preferably, the web server can provide a personal account set up based on the application of the video user, and provide the video user with services including password modification and account cost status inquiry.

Preferably, the web server may provide a user management method, which is used by the operator for user management, including video user account opening, video user profile modification, video user cancellation, and video user inquiry.

Preferably, the Web server can provide a venue management method. The venues are defined in advance and stored in a database. When a user wants to call a conference, each site to be met is selected from the database to join the conference.

Preferably, the Web server may provide a conference management means for processing changes in the status of the conference between unscheduled, scheduled success, being held, ended, and suspended.

Preferably, the web server can provide a cost management method, provide a charge service for the operator, and provide a cost inquiry service for the video user.

Preferably, the web server may provide an internal bulletin board for broadcasting a message from a system administrator to a salesperson; and an external bulletin board for broadcasting a message from a system administrator to a video user.

A service center for videoconferencing service operation according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a Web server, which receives a user request from a user on a network; and a service acceptance module, which receives user information transmitted intensively by the Web server. , And the multi-point control unit resources are scheduled through the computer network.

Preferably, the computer network is a TCP / IP network or a local area network.

Preferably, the Socket connection between the Web server and the service acceptance center is maintained. Preferably, the business center further includes a database for data storage.

Preferably, the service acceptance module uses the SNMP protocol to communicate with the multipoint control unit.

Preferably, the service acceptance module includes a resource management module, a conference management module, a venue management module, a user management module, and a billing and settlement statistics module.

Preferably, the service acceptance module adopts a scalable multilayer client / server architecture. A videoconferencing service system according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a videoconferencing terminal and a multipoint control unit connected through a communication network; and the system further includes: a service center, which is connected to the multipoint control unit via a computer network. Connect, accept video service requests, schedule multi-point control unit resources, and centrally manage and drive video service.

Preferably, the communication network may be an ATM-based network or an ISDN network or an IP network. Preferably, the computer network is a TCP / IP network or a local area network.

Preferably, the communication between the business center and the multipoint control unit uses the SNMP protocol. Preferably, the service center includes: a Web server that receives user requests from users on the network; and a service acceptance module that receives user information that is transmitted centrally by the Web server and uses the computer network to control multi-point control unit resources Schedule.

Preferably, the business center further includes: a database for data storage.

Preferably, the service acceptance module adopts an extensible multilayer client / server architecture. The business center needs to provide business acceptance functions. This can be accepted by a dedicated Web site and transferred to the business acceptance module. The business acceptance module performs business management, that is, business scheduling and control. FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a business center in a working state according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a virtual center is a business center. As shown in FIG. 3, the business center includes a Web server, a service acceptance module, Database composition. The business center receives the user request from the user on the network through the Web server, or receives the user request transferred from the business desk; receives the user information transmitted by the Web server in a centralized manner through the service acceptance module, and through the computer network to multiple points Control unit resources are scheduled; business center further conducts database data storage.

In order to adapt to the WWW mode, a website can be used to facilitate users to reserve video conferences. The system provides a Web Server website correspondingly, which is what users directly face. However, in order for the user's reservation information to be accepted by our MCU, there must be a unified dispatch center. The system should provide a service acceptance module, which is invisible to the user and is mainly provided to the video service operator for monitoring and use. On the one hand, the service acceptance module accepts the user information transmitted by the Web Server on the one hand, and on the other hand stores and dispatches this information to deal directly with the MCU. There is a problem here, that is, the problem that the business acceptance module deals with MCUs from different manufacturers. The communication protocols provided by different manufacturers may be different. In order to enable the service acceptance module to handle communication with MCUs from different manufacturers, the service acceptance module and the MCU may use the telecommunications network standard protocol, such as the SNMP protocol. Manufacturers comply with the SNMP protocol, and the basic content of the agreement is consistent, the purpose of interconnecting and interoperating the service acceptance module with products of different manufacturers can be achieved. The SNMP protocol belongs to the application layer in the TCP / IP protocol group and works on the UDP protocol in the TCP / IP protocol group.

In addition, since the video service needs to process more data and is more important, the system of this embodiment uses a database as a data storage form. The database is also a part of the business center. It not only completes the simple functions of data storage, but also needs to handle data backup, logical verification, and database-related functions (calculation, data addition, deletion, and improved post-processing, etc.).

From the analysis above, it can be known that the service center that provides the operating characteristics in this embodiment includes: a Web server, a service acceptance module, and a database. Web Server directly faces users and processes user requests and feedback results, including functions such as fee settlement. The business acceptance module provides all conference functions required for videoconferencing services. The core function is scheduling, that is, MCU resource allocation functions and conference control functions; The database performs functions such as data storage, security management, and simple function processing. FIG. 4 illustrates services provided by a video service as viewed from a user's perspective according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, when a user needs, a video conference can be reserved to the video system manually or by the Web. The video system completes a series of processing, and automatically starts the conference within the time specified by the user, and accesses the user to reserve After the meeting is over, the video terminal completes the settlement of fees within a specified time (the settlement methods can be flexible and diverse). The videoconferencing system in the figure refers to the collection of MCU equipment and management systems required for operation, and also includes communication networks such as the ISDN network used.

The content provided by the web server in this embodiment may include: a personal account set up based on a video user's application, and providing the video user with services including password modification and account cost status inquiry; user management means used by the operator for user management, Including video user account opening, video user profile modification, video user account cancellation, video user query; venue management means, venues are defined in advance and stored in the database, when users want to convene a meeting, select each site to join from the database to join To the conference; conference management means for handling changes between unscheduled, successful scheduling, ongoing, held, ended, and suspended states; expense management means, which provides charging services to operators and provides video services to users Expense inquiry service; internal bulletin board for broadcasting message from system administrator to salesperson; and external bulletin board for broadcasting message from system administrator to video user.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a video service reservation according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the process of booking a videoconferencing service basically includes the following steps: (1) the user accesses the Web Server through a browser to reserve a conference required by the user; (2) the Web Server sends the conference reserved by the user to Service acceptance module. The service acceptance module starts the scheduling mechanism. If the scheduling fails, it feeds back the reservation failure to the Web Server; otherwise, the MCU is notified to hold a meeting when the user specifies the start time. (5) waiting for billing and settlement. '

In this embodiment, a Web Server appointment method is adopted, and a website method is used to provide Business access and services are the direction of future communications development. It has the advantages of being friendly, fast, convenient, and available 24 hours. Specifically, the Web Server website brings the following benefits: (1) Video users can reserve a video conference to be held anytime, anywhere, as long as they can access the Internet; (2) Video users can check the cost of using their scheduled video conferences anytime, anywhere Checklists, settlement lists, and historical usage conditions make users assured and worry-free; (3) The website interface is very friendly, and the functions are easy to operate, which can help users to use video services faster and better in real time; (4) Business of video system operators Promotion and business notifications are released through the website, which not only can have more video users, popularize the video system faster, but also reduce the amount of information maintenance. For users who cannot access the Internet, go to a nearby business hall to self-service the Internet or entrust a salesperson to handle meeting reservations.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a business acceptance module of a business center according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the service acceptance module uses an extensible multi-layer Client / Server (client / server) architecture. Among them, Sl, S2, and S3 are cross-level codes. From a logical point of view, the S3 service acceptance module is to use the S2 service acceptance module as the client server, the S2 service acceptance module is to use the S1 service acceptance module as the client server, and the S1 service acceptance module is to use the MCU as the server of the client. The S1-level service acceptance module communicates with the MCU through the SNMP protocol.

This Client / Server architecture can easily expand the video system capacity, thus supporting the management of more MCUs. The advanced (S2, S3) service acceptance module also provides a protocol conversion function to connect different communication networks (such as ISDN network and IP network) together to form a huge conference television network. Better adapt to the public operations of videoconferencing services.

Combined with a web server that provides services to users on the network, a public-facing, unattended, automated videoconferencing service can be implemented.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention but not limitative. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that The invention may be modified, deformed, or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which should all be covered by the scope of the claims of the invention.

Claims

Claim

1. A video service operation method, in which a multipoint control unit and a video terminal are connected through a communication network; characterized in that, a business center connected to the multipoint control unit via a computer network accepts video service requests and dispatches the multipoint control unit Resources, the center manages and drives videoconferencing services.

2. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 1, wherein the computer network is a TCP / IP network or a local area network.

3. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 1, wherein the service center communicates with a multipoint control unit through an SNMP protocol.

4. The method of operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 1, wherein the service center receives a user request from a user on a network through a Web server; and receives the centralized delivery of the Web server through a service acceptance module. User information, and schedule multi-point control unit resources through the computer network.

5. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the service center further stores data through a database.

6. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the service acceptance module adopts an extensible multilayer client / server architecture.

7. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the Web server and the service acceptance center adopt a Socket connection in a maintaining manner.

8. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, further comprising the following steps:

(a) The user accesses the Web server through a browser, and reserves a conference required by the user;

(b) The Web server sends the conference reserved by the user to the service acceptance module, and the service acceptance module starts the scheduling mechanism, and if the scheduling fails, it feeds back the reservation failure to the Web server; (C) Notifying the multipoint control unit to hold a meeting at a user-specified start time;

(d) When the conference end time is reached, the service acceptance module notifies the multipoint control unit to end the conference.

9. The method of operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the Web server can provide: a personal account established based on a videocom user's application, and provide the videoconferencing user with a password change, account fee status, etc. Query service.

10. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the Web server provides: user management means used by the operator for user management, including video user account opening, video user profile modification, and video user Cancellation and video user inquiry.

11. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the Web server can provide: venue management means, the venue is defined in advance and stored in a database, and when a user wants to convene a conference from the database Select each site to be added to the meeting.

12. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the Web server can provide: conference management means for processing a conference when it is unscheduled, scheduled successfully, being held, already ended, suspended Changes between states.

13. The method for operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the web server can provide: a cost management method, providing a fee service for the operator and a fee inquiry service for the video user.

14. The method of operating a videoconferencing service according to claim 4, wherein the Web server can provide: an internal bulletin board for broadcasting a message from a system administrator to a salesperson; and an external bulletin board for the system Broadcast of messages from administrators to video users.

15. A service center for videoconferencing service operations, comprising: a web server that receives user requests from users on a network; and a service acceptance module that receives user information that is transmitted centrally by the web server and controls multiple points through a computer network Unit resources are scheduled.

16. The service center for videoconferencing service operation according to claim 15, wherein the computer network is a TCP / IP network or a local area network.

17. The service center for videoconferencing service operation according to claim 15, wherein the Web server and the service acceptance center adopt a Socket connection in a maintaining manner.

18. The service center for videoconferencing service operation according to claim 15, further comprising a database for data storage.

19. The service center for videoconferencing service operation according to claim 15, wherein the service acceptance module communicates with the multipoint control unit using the SNMP protocol.

20. The service center for videoconferencing service operation according to claim 15, wherein the service acceptance module comprises: a resource management module, a conference management module, a venue management module, a user management module, and billing and settlement Statistics module.

21. The service center for videoconferencing service operation according to claim 15, wherein the service acceptance module adopts an extensible multilayer client / server architecture.

22. A videoconferencing service system, comprising: a videoconferencing terminal and a multipoint control unit connected through a communication network; further comprising: a service center that is connected to the multipoint control unit via a computer network, accepts videoconferencing service requests, and schedules multiple Point control unit resources, the center manages and drives videoconferencing services.

23. The videoconferencing service system according to claim 22, wherein the communication network is an ATM-based network, an ISDN network, or an IP network.

24. The videoconferencing service system according to claim 22, wherein the computer network is a TCP / IP network or a local area network.

25. The videoconferencing service system according to claim 22, wherein the communication between the service center and the multipoint control unit uses the SNMP protocol.

26. The videoconferencing service system according to claim 22, wherein the service The service center includes: a Web server that receives user requests from users on a network; and a service acceptance module that receives user information that is collectively passed by the Web server and schedules multipoint control unit resources through the computer network.

27. The videoconferencing service system according to claim 26, wherein the service center further comprises: a database for data storage.

28. The videoconferencing service system according to claim 26, wherein the service acceptance module adopts an extensible multilayer client / server architecture.